Semua Bab Not Your Scapegoat Again: Bab 1 - Bab 10

Simon went, "You know how she is—pregnant, all over the place emotionally..."I didn't say a word, just walked straight to the bedroom.The second I opened the door—bam. That same sickly perfume hit me.On the bed? Lingerie. Definitely not mine. And on the nightstand, a photo of Simon and Nancy all cuddled up.I spun around, ice in my voice. "You two sleep in my bed?"Simon freaked. "It's temporary! Once Nancy has the baby, I'll ask her to leave—""Don't bother." I shut him down. "I'm just here to grab my stuff."I marched to the closet—packed with Nancy's designer junk.My stuff? Shoved in a suitcase, dumped in the corner like trash."Heidi, don't be like this..." Simon reached for my hand. "I know this is hard, but—"I jerked away.Right as I bent to zip the suitcase, my phone lit up.[Breaking! Wynn family heiress signs plea deal, admits to stealing Johnston Group trade secrets!]Comments were already blowing up.[Wait, the Wynn heiress really did that?][I thought sh

"Tsk tsk, I envy women like you," she said, swaying in. "Infertile and still so chill. I, on the other hand, need velvet sheets just to sleep.""Get out."She just smiled wider, hand brushing over her stomach."You know," she said casually, "your infertility wasn't your body's fault."My stomach dropped. "What are you talking about?""Simon's been lacing your food with birth control for years. Enough to make it permanent."She leaned in, voice low and poisonous. "It was all part of the plan. Once you couldn't get pregnant, he could toss you aside guilt-free—and marry me."That's why it never happened.White-hot rage surged through me. I jumped to my feet and slapped her—hard."You two are disgusting."Nancy stumbled back—then let out this weird, fake laugh.Next thing I knew, she threw herself to the ground and screamed like she was being murdered. "Ahh! Heidi, what are you doing?!"The basement door slammed open. Simon stormed in with a crew of guys."Nancy!"He ran to h

The judge gave a nod, and the bailiffs yanked Simon and Nancy out without another word.After the trial, Clark drove me home—not to that haunted villa, but to his sleek apartment downtown.My body was wrecked. Blood had soaked through my clothes again.Clark looked completely shaken. He helped me onto the couch like I might break."Doctor's on the way."I saw that crease between his brows and reached up to smooth it out."I'm okay. Just surface stuff."He caught my hand, voice rough."I should've found you sooner.""It's not too late." I leaned into his shoulder. "This time, we found each other."In my past life, after they locked me up, it was nothing but pain.Following Simon's orders, the inmates used cold tools to destroy my uterus.When the prison doctor told me I'd never have kids, I didn't cry—I was already empty.Then chaos exploded outside."Mr. Johnston! You can't go in!"The infirmary door slammed open.Clark stormed in, bloodied, with guards down behind him.

"These past few nights, I keep waking up at midnight..." Simon's voice cracked. "I dream of you covered in blood, asking why I betrayed you..."I looked away, but the memories hit like a wave."Just give me one last chance..."Then—boom. He yanked out a folding knife and stabbed his own thigh before I could even blink.Blood spilled fast. He winced but managed a twisted smile. "This one's for the first lash."He raised the knife again, aiming for the other leg. "I'll pay back all ninety-nine lashes."My eyes shot wide. I ripped off the security chain and grabbed his wrist.The blood smell hit hard, making my head spin.For a second, I didn't know if I felt hate or heartbreak—just this crushing weight in my chest.Simon clung to my leg, tears pouring down his face. He looked wrecked."I swear I'll spend my whole life making this right... If you want my life, take it."His blood puddled around him. That face I once loved was nothing but desperation now.I felt so drained—for

"You should sleep," I murmured.He let out a low chuckle, slid in beside me, and wrapped an arm around my waist, careful not to press on the bruises."Then I'm sleeping with you."My body healed up little by little, but Clark still wouldn't let me leave."Simon's locked up, yeah, but the Muttries are still out there. I'm not taking chances."His fingers skimmed over the faint scars on my wrist. His eyes darkened.I exhaled. "You gonna keep me locked in here forever?"He dipped his head and bit my earlobe, voice dropping. "If I could, I'd keep you all to myself."That surge of possessiveness had my heart thudding, but I couldn't resist poking at him."Mr. Johnston, sounds like illegal confinement."He laughed, threading his fingers through my hair, hand cradling my head as he kissed me."Then sue me."The kiss hit hard—like he was trying to steal every breath I had.He didn't let go until I melted in his arms. His thumb skimmed my lips, eyes dark."Pretty sure the judge'd